Where leaders come to exchange ideas and learn about good government practices, the public policy process, and free enterprise.
The goal of the cohort program is to create exceptional opportunities for adult leaders in Oklahoma to exchange ideas, learn about good governance practices, the public policy process, and increase their vision of growth based on free enterprise. The cohort program is designed so participants can build new and lasting relationships with program members, Oklahoma leaders, and public policy experts.
The program is administered and run by The State Chamber Research Foundation.
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
| Andrew Aldridge | Director, Cleveland County Regional Juvenile Detention Center |
| Bailey Ashbaker | Senior Policy and Engagement Specialist, Hunger Free Oklahoma |
| James Ashford | President, Unity Vision |
| Amanda Billings | Developing Founder, Family Village Network; Student Leader, Tulsa Community College |
| Sean Boyles | Southwest Oklahoma Field Representative and Federal Grants Director, US Senator Alan Armstrong |
| Reeve Bull | Senior Advisor, Recoding America Fund |
| Krista Carroll | Associate, CSS Partners |
| Kailey Carter | Republican Communications Specialist, Oklahoma State Senate |
| McKenna Case | Government Affairs Assistant, The State Chamber of Oklahoma |
| Leo Colmenares | Commercial Broker/Agent, Prime Capital Real Estate |
| Amaziah Dominic | Senior Director Client Relations, Dillingham Insurance |
| Preston Draper | Chief of Staff, East Central University |
| David Echols | Director of External Affairs, Oklahoma City Community College |
| Logan Edwards | Field Representative, Congressman Tom Cole |
| Katy Feaver | Legislative Liaison, Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs |
| Tiyahna Garrett | Manager Government Affairs, Tulsa Regional Chamber |
| Chaunté Gilmore | Director of Rehabilitation, Southwest LTC |
| Brandon Graves | Agency Owner, Farmers Insurance |
| Chelsea Haecherl | Legislative Assistant, Oklahoma House of Representatives |
| Meagan Hansen | Chief of Staff, OK Medical Marijuana Authority |
| Grace Impson | Director of Marketing & Events, Stillwater Chamber of Commerce |
| John Jennings | Director Strategy and Corporate Operations, CommunityCare |
| Alex Kaiser | Vice President, JP Morgan Private Bank |
| Damien Knight | United States Army Veteran, Retired |
| Andrew Lewis | Universal Banker, BancFirst |
| Sarah McGuckin | Field Director, Charles McCall for Governor |
| Lauren McKinney | Community Relations Manager, Oklahoma Natural Gas |
| Mike Mlynek | Consultant, Oklahoma Alliance Consultants |
| Adrienne Nobles | Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs, University of Central Okahoma |
| Sarah Reece | Chief Operating Officer, ACEC Oklahoma |
| Luke Reynolds | Public Affairs Director, The State Chamber of Oklahoma |
| Zack Robinson | Senior Vice President / Investment Banker (Public Finance), BOK Financial Securities, Inc. |
| Audrey Rockwell | Chief of External Affairs, Office of Juvenile Affairs |
| Antonio Salazar | Senior Consultant Artificial Intelligence, LYT Group |
| Bayli Scruggs | Public Affairs Coordinator, Milo’s Tea Company |
| Derrick Sier | Director – Professional & Youth Workforce Development, RestoreOKC |
| Tate Smithhart | Associate, Amber Integrated |
| Kristi Sproul | External Affairs Manager Capital Projects, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) |
| Jamie Steele | Legislative Liaison, Oklahoma Department of Human Services |
| Tommy Turner | Vice President, JE Dunn Construction Co. |
| Aaron White | Owner – Twisters Comedy Club, Chisholm Creek Event Center, BailaOKC Dance Company; Cybersecurity Engineer, The Boeing Company |
| Damien Williams | Owner/CEO |
| Ryan Zaloudek | President/CEO, Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce |
GOLD SPONSOR:
Cohort program participants must first apply and then be accepted into the cohort program. After being selected through an application process and paying the cohort program tuition, participants are admitted into the cohort program. Each cohort program consists of four days of programming. Full participation in each of the four days is mandatory.
Submission Deadline: April 17, 2026
Program Dates: June 25 – 26 in Tulsa, OK AND July 23 – 24, 2026 in OKC, OK
Cost: $500 for all four days
We encourage leaders of any background to apply. In addition, applicants should have an interest in the public policy process, along with a strong desire to build lasting relationships with program members, Oklahoma leaders and public policy experts, and learn about good governance practices and free enterprise.
Because the cohort program is designed to be an engaging small group experience, the number of participants admitted is limited. We receive many applications and admit less than 40 into the program. We have a variety of backgrounds and ages represented in the cohort program. Our participants are all well-respected leaders in their professions and in their communities. We have had former mayors, top business, military, community, and public policy leaders participate in our cohort program.
Each cohort program consists of a different group of participants. Once the four-day cohort program is completed, participants become alumni. Upon successful completion of the cohort program, alumni are given further opportunities to continue to develop as leaders, interact with alumni from other cohorts and help mentor current and future program participants. Alumni are also given opportunities to participate in special events and activities. These opportunities are only available to program alumni.
In general, each cohort program typically includes the following topics:
Committee work and how a bill becomes a law
How the budget process is managed
Working with constituents and stakeholders
The development of Oklahoma’s government and its unique characteristics
Participants explore various aspects of policy topics in Oklahoma including:
Economic Development
Oil and Natural Gas
Oklahoma’s Budget
Corrections
Education
Infrastructure
Best practices
Mistakes and misconceptions
Fundraising
Leadership needed in business and public policy
Vignettes on leadership
Problem solving
What is free enterprise and economic freedom?
Foundational principles of free enterprise
Innovation, risk taking and entrepreneurial opportunities
Regulation and licensing
